{~~Logan Grey~~}I waited for her to speak but she was quiet until we got into the car."Love is tricky," she began, her voice soft yet weighted with the complexities of the subject. The very mention of love sent a pang through my chest, a sensation that only deepened as she continued. "Holding a person, or even two people, down to a mating bond... it's a concept that dances on the edge of what some might consider twisted." I could feel my heart sink as she spoke, a heaviness settling in my gut that was impossible to ignore."Mates," she said, the word hanging in the air like a delicate thread, "means two people the gods themselves have deemed to be perfect for one another, two souls intertwined in a way that transcends mortal understanding. It's a connection that is said to be forged in the heavens, an unbreakable bond that pulls these two individuals together across time and space, across lifetimes. It’s a love that is supposed to be pure, untainted by the world's harsh realities. B
{~~Avery Sterling~~}I drank some coffee and dressed in long black tights, a fitted long shirt, and some high-heeled sneakers. Logan said we were connecting with nature, it’s dark but a full moon is out and I’m eager to be under it. Shifting into my wolf, and hunting. Not animals, oh god no. Hunting.... okay, so maybe animals like deer. But since we don’t live in an area where they migrate then perhaps we’ll hunt whatever we see.I don’t know how this works, but I’m super excited. We’re driving to the park where the event is being held and spending the night in one of the cabins. We’ll return tomorrow morning. We packed clothes for the next day, pajamas and more. Have I mentioned I’m excited? Can you believe what we’ll be doing?Incredible.A couple’s event. Once we arrived I took in the view of the campsite. Gosh, only twenty couples are allowed each night. They don’t allow you to stay for more than two days unless you pay the premium. How did Logan get us in on short notice?He prob
{~~Avery Sterling~~}The cave was an exhilarating experience, unlike anything I had ever imagined. Swimming around, having a blast together even though there were others and we were naked. I haven’t stopped smiling since i started.But as much as the cave intrigued me, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the time spent around the enormous bonfire. The flames leaped high into the night sky, their crackling sounds like a chorus of whispers sharing tales of the past. The firelight bathed everything in a warm, golden glow, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and comfort. It was here, under the vast expanse of the night sky, that we truly connected with the other couples. We shared stories, laughed at each other's jokes, and indulged in the simple pleasure of roasting marshmallows over the open flames. The sticky sweetness of the marshmallows melting into gooey perfection as they browned in the fire's embrace was a joy that never grew old. There was something magical about this
{~~Logan Grey~~}We made the slow, silent walk back to our cabins, the crisp air of the forest cool against our fur. As the trees thinned out, we shifted back into our human forms, the transformation leaving us both nude under the moonlight. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her, the way her skin seemed to glow softly in the dim light, her hair a wild cascade down her back. She looked like she belonged out here, away from the suffocating confines of the town, even if just for a night. I knew she needed this. A break. An escape."Go get in the shower," I told her, my voice gentle but firm. "I'll order us something decent for lunch." As fun, as sitting around a campfire, talking, and eating s'mores might be, it wasn't real food. We needed our energy, and more importantly, she needed her energy. She nodded, her eyes flicking up to meet mine before she walked into the cabin.I picked up the phone, my fingers dialing the number for the kitchen. The chef answered promptly, his voice deep an
{~~Logan Grey~~}After the shower, I wrapped a towel securely around my waist and headed to the door to retrieve our dinner. The warmth of the bathroom clung to my skin, steam still rising off my shoulders as I moved through the cabin. The air outside the bathroom felt cool against my damp skin, but I barely noticed, focused on the thought of sharing a meal with Avery in the cozy intimacy of our cabin.When I opened the door, the delivery guy stood there, holding a tray of food with both hands. His eyes widened slightly as he took in the sight of my bare chest, and I noticed the way his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. He looked bashful, maybe even a little flustered, as he quickly averted his gaze, pretending to focus on the tray instead."Thanks," I said with a smile, taking the tray from his hands. He offered a quick nod and a nervous smile in return, clearly eager to move on. I reached into my pocket, which was still slightly damp from the shower, and pulled out a tip, handing i
|THE PAST- TWO YEARS PRIOR|{~~Ava Sterling~~}I sat down on the cold, worn bench, the wooden slats creaking slightly under my weight. The park was quiet at this hour, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the ground. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant chirp of a bird. I glanced left, then right, my eyes scanning the empty paths that wound through the park. I needed to be sure—absolutely certain—that I hadn't been followed. The last thing I needed was someone seeing me here, especially not him.My heart raced a little faster, a mix of nerves and anticipation churning in my stomach. I tried to calm myself, but the adrenaline was too strong, pulsing through my veins as I waited. I could hear the faint rumble of a motorcycle in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. My pulse quickened as I recognized the familiar sound, the low growl that meant Rex was close.A minute later, he appeared, cutting thr
{~~Avery Sterling~~}I woke up in a tight hold, and panic was the first thing that settled in. For some reason, my brain was trying to have me convinced someone else was in bed with me. Until I took a moment to relax, and the scent filled my nose. We really didn’t relax with our wolves the way we should have, but I had so much fun. I turned my body around in his grasp so I could get a good look at his face. Logan doesn’t lose his handsomeness and it’s a bit unnerving.No, I mean overwhelming. He’s truly handsome. His looks never fade away. Like youth only gets better for him.I ran my fingers against his chest. He made a small sound before opening his eyes. What a light sleeper.“Oh, you innocent pervert.” I bristled with laughter, and logan smiled. He still looked like he could sleep some more but we have to check out. And get back to work. And I have to change the bandages on my injuries.“Come on, we have to go.”“Can’t we just quit our jobs?”I scoffed. “I am only twenty-three. I’
{~~Avery Sterling~~}The king was nothing like I had expected. His presence filled the room with a heavy, almost suffocating tension. He wasn’t even supposed to be here with us, yet here he stood, commanding attention with every breath he took. The air seemed to grow colder as he entered, and I could see the color drain from Ava’s face. She had always been defiant, always had a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue, but now, for the first time, I saw her tremble. Perhaps, at last, she was realizing the gravity of her crimes.The king’s dark skin glowed under the dim lighting, a stark contrast to the rich, deep crimson of his robes, which draped around his tall, broad frame with an elegance that spoke of power and authority. His features were striking—high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and eyes so intense they seemed to pierce through you. His hair was neatly braided, and a thin golden circle rested atop his head, gleaming faintly. The intricate patterns embroidered in gold on his tuni